Daily report: Winner, loser and the top 10

DELTA PILOTS OKCONTRACT REVISIONS

The airline’s pilots voted overwhelmingly in favor of changes to their contract that will give them pay raises, a 3.5 percent equity stake and other benefits, but also will give management more leeway as part of a proposed combination with Northwest Airlines Corp. The contract covers more than 7,000 pilots at Atlanta-based Delta. Northwest’s 5,000 pilots are not part of the agreement.

Loser:

MACY’S POSTS LOSS

ON LOWER SALES

The retailer lost $59 million in the first quarter because of lower sales and the costs of consolidation, which the company said should start paying off next year. Macy’s booked a $55 million after-tax charge to restructure three business units. Macy’s also set aside $14 million after tax for a potential settlement of a labor class-action lawsuit. Stripping out unusual charges, earnings from continuing operations were 2 cents a share. Analysts had forecast a loss of 2 cents a share. Shares rose 87 cents to $24.93.

Today’s Top 10

FOOD PRICES CLIMB, BUT INFLATION FEARS EASE

The Labor Department reported Wednesday that consumer prices edged up 0.2 percent last month, compared to a 0.3 percent rise in March. The lower inflation reflected a flat reading for energy, which helped offset a 0.9 percent jump in food costs, the biggest rise in 18 years.

WHOLE FOODS STOCK HIT

Shares tumbled $4.68 to $28.96 Wednesday after the organic and natural foods retailer’s second-quarter profit fell on weaker sales growth.

SONY SWINGS TO PROFIT

Strong sales of flat panel TVs and digital cameras helped the Japanese electronics company nearly triple its annual profit. Sony said it continues to cut losses from its PlayStation 3 video game business.

FREDDIE MAC LOSS WIDENS

The mortgage finance company said it lost $151 million in the first quarter as the housing market worsened. Shares gained $2.29 to $27.25.

DEERE PROFIT UP 22%

The farm machinery maker said lofty crop prices in the second quarter stoked global demand for its products despite a faltering U.S. economy. Deere’s shares fell $8.94 to $81.25.

VERIZON LINKS WITH LINUX

It’s the first U.S. carrier to join the LiMo Foundation, which aims to unite handset makers, software companies and carriers on a software platform.

VIRGIN MOBILE In TALKS

The wireless firm said it is in preliminary talks with South Korea’s SK Telecom Co. about “strategic options,” a phrase that usually suggests a buyout or major investment. Shares rose 33 cents to $3.37.

PIONEER’S HARD TIMES

The Japanese electronics company’s shares fell after it warned of a fifth straight year of heavy losses as it deals with costly restructuring at its TV operations.

NEW ETHANOL VENTURE

DuPont said Wednesday that the $140 million deal with Genencor will enable the production of cellulosic ethanol that costs less than conventional ethanol and won’t drive up food prices.

SAMSUNG NAMES NEW CEO

The electronics firm taps Lee Yoon-woo to ease transition after chairman Lee Kun-hee resigned following his indictment on tax evasion charges.